The Wales GCSE A* to C pass rate has increased to 62.8% this year, and students in Brecon and Radnorshire are joining today’s results celebrations.

Pupils at Brecon High School arrived from 9am this morning to pick-up their much anticipated results in what is the last results day to be staged at the current school building in Penlan.

Brecon High School pupil Leah North collected her GCSE results only days before her 16th birthday on Saturday.

Leah, who lives in Llanfaes, said: “I got five As, an A* and four Bs. I’m feeling really good – I’m happy with my results.

“I’ll be going to Christ College to study my A Levels next year.”

James Morgan, who is also in Brecon High, said he’s going to The College in Merthyr Tydfil – a college for sixth form pupils and adult learners – next year.

The 16-year-old, who lives just outside of Brecon, said: “My results are very good, I’m really happy with them. I got five A*s and five As.”

Fellow Brecon High pupil Christian Morante, 16, is also attending the college in Merthyr Tydfil to study his A Levels.

Christian, who lives in Brecon, said: "I got one A*, seven As and two Bs. I’m good, very pleased with how I’ve done.”

At Brecon High School, nearly 100% of pupils achieved the Level One threshold, meaning they secured at least five qualifications at Grades A* to G.

More than 20% of GCSE students achieved at least five A or A* grades, while more than 60% of pupils achieved at least five C grade qualifications.

Rosie Tustin, who also lives in Brecon and attends the high school, is gearing up to attend the college in Merthyr to study Health and Social Care next year.

The 16-year-old said: “I did well, I’m really proud of my grades and how I’ve done.”

Meanwhile fellow pupil Jordan Tovey, also 16 and of Brecon, said he’s happy with his results as he got Bs and Cs.

He said: “I’m excited for my results and happy with how I’ve done. There’s a group of us going to Nando’s and to play laser tag to celebrate in a bit.”

Headteacher Richard Jenkins named pupils who achieved at least five A or A* grades as including Jasmine Calloni, Keir Deveney Billinge, Mollie Grimes, Joshua Hole, Paige Jones, Konrad Krywko, Amy Marshall, Ian Morante, James Morgan, Mollly Morgan, Megan Morris, Leah North, Harvey Parsons, Nathan Preece, Joshua Price, Benjamin Pritchard, Robert Reeve, Giovanni Sierchio, Lauren Thompson-Richards and Luke Wilkinson.

He said: “I would like to congratulate pupils on their achievements and also thank parents, carers and teaching staff for their hard work, support and commitment.

“The school is also pleased with the overall outcomes for Year 10 pupils that sat some examinations during the summer term. Their success will be a strong foundation on which to build further during the course of Year 11.”

Successful Year 10 pupils – all of whom achieved a range of A and A* grades – include Caitlin Davies, Robin Flower, Charlie Harries, Amy Hellard, Freddie Hughes, Rowan Irwin, Jessica Joseph-Jones, Erin Mitchell, Ioan Rogers, Leo Skinner, Jenna Welch, Amy White, Kelsey Williams and Ross Williams.

Mr Jenkins said: “All of the staff and governors of the school would like to wish Year 11 pupils every success with their chosen pathway for their futures.

“Brecon High School is preparing for a huge year ahead and is very much looking forward to moving into its brand new building in the autumn as well as anticipating improvements in standards over the course of the next 12-18 months.”